Topics in Conservative Dentistry

Buccal Cervical Restorations

From the DentTest dentistry textbook. Last updated 6 August 2026.

Black's classification of carious lesions:

Class I - Restorations of the occlusal surface of premolar and molars or lingual surface of anterior teeth

Class II - Restorations of the proximal surfaces of posterior teeth

Class III - Restorations of the proximal surfaces of anterior teeth without incisal edge involvement

Class IV - Restorations of proximal surfaces of anterior teeth with incisal edge involvement

Class V - Restorations of the cervical margin

Indications:

  • Cervical carious lesion

  • Abrasion

  • Abfraction

  • Discoloured dentition anteriorly

Procedural steps:

Preoperative

  1. Select enamel and dentine composite shade utilising Vita guides under natural light prior to commencing the procedure

  2. Administer local anaesthetic for deep carious lesions or patient discomfort expected

  3. Isolate tooth using cervical retraction providing clamps and rubber dam, however, if incomplete visualisation of lesion, consider continual aspiration without isolation.

Caries removal

  1. Access carious lesion with tungsten carbide bur, ensuring to avoid gingival damage

  2. Remove peripheral infected dentine with excavator or carbide rose head bur

  3. Remove deep infected dentine +/- affected dentine in anterior dentition with excavator, especially if in close proximity to the pulp

  4. Consider air abrasion for removal of staining in the event of a tooth wear lesion

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